Delia's POV"Knock, knock!"I heard two knocks on the carriage door. Before I could even respond or grant permission for the person to come in, the door swung open.Prince Kral stood before me, holding a plate in his hands. The aromas wafting from the freshly prepared dishes were enticing and delightful. Although I hadn't felt hungry initially, the scent of the food caused my stomach to betray me with a quiet rumble.Feeling a tad embarrassed, I quickly took my hand to my stomach, attempting to muffle the sound. But it was too late. Prince Kral had already caught wind of my stomach's protest. I saw a subtle curve at the corner of his lips, and a playful glint in his eyes. This only deepened my embarrassment, and I could feel my cheeks burning."Delia, I suppose you must be hungry," Prince Kral stepped into the carriage, placing the food before me. He then closed the carriage door behind him, sealing us in. "It's dinner time now, and I've come to share this meal with you."The carriage
Delia's POVPrince Kral's commitment sounded enchanting, and I wanted to trust him. However, considering the recent string of events — the enigmatic figure in gray, the pilfered pearl necklace, and the intermittent dreams— all of this cast a heavy weight upon me.Unless these matters were resolved, even if Prince Kral arranged the most extravagant wedding ceremony, my heart would remain unsettled. Despite these thoughts, facing Prince Kral's earnest promise, I hesitated to dampen his spirits. Hence, I merely nodded and replied, "Your Highness, I'm eagerly looking forward to that day!""Delia…"Prince Kral seemed on the brink of saying more, but at that very moment, a light knock sounded on the carriage door."What is it?" Prince Kral turned his head, his impatience apparent."Your Highness, there's a matter I need to report to you…"Recognizing the voice as belonging to a soldier, I seized the opportunity and gave him a gentle nudge. "Your Highness, you should attend to your duties. I
Vivian’s POVConfronted with my inquisitive question, Albert's crimson lips curved upward. Though I couldn't glimpse his eyes, I was almost certain he awaited my verbalization of this query."Because I'm using a unique flute, only witches can perceive my melody and werewolves are incapable of detecting it," Albert silently approached me, his presence virtually devoid of sound. He raised his hand, a flute nestled in his palm, "Vivian, this is for you."I didn't desire anything from Albert, yet his voice seemed to wield an enchanting power, coaxing me to extend my hand.In a state of uncertainty, I found myself grasping the dainty flute. It was no thicker than my fingers and hardly longer than theirs. The flute's surface was icy cold, akin to Albert's own frigid touch.Only upon touching the chilled surface did I seem to awaken from a trance. I recoiled, stepping back, eyeing Albert warily, "No, I can't accept your offering.""Why?" Albert countered."Because I don't know you!" I recoll
Vivian's POVConfronted with Delia's reluctance to leave with me, I was already feeling disheartened, and now Alen was speaking to me in that tone! I understood that what he said was true, but I wasn't ready to admit it. He now seemed like a teacher scolding a child, and I was that naive child in his eyes."I don't want to talk to you anymore," I slipped my hand into my pocket, trying hard to put on a nonchalant façade, "I'm heading back to sleep."As my left hand slid into my pocket, I came into contact with the flute Albert had given me. I realized I couldn't let Alen discover the existence of this flute, so I clutched it tightly, keeping my hand still in my pocket."Vivian, it's getting pretty late. Please allow me to walk you back to the carriage," Alen turned his head and gestured in the direction of the camp.When Alen had finished speaking, he began to walk toward the campsite. I followed closely behind him, just one step away."Vivian, I'm still having trouble understanding wh
Vivian’s POVAlen and I maintained a distance—neither too close nor too far—as we made our way back to the campsite, him walking ahead and me following behind.When we arrived at my carriage, Alen stood beside it, waiting for me to catch up. As I approached, he dropped a cold remark, "Vivian, we're here. Go inside and get some sleep."After delivering those words, Alen didn't even bid me a good night. He simply turned and walked away.Watching his departing figure, my emotions, which had just started to settle, plunged once again into a pit of turmoil."Sigh…"I let out a long sigh, attempting to release the pent-up frustration within me. However, despite several sighs, the discomfort still lingered. I shook my head slightly, forcing myself to stop dwelling on the matter.I climbed onto the carriage, opened the door, and slipped inside. After shutting the door, I removed my coat and placed it beside the bed.Lying down on the carpet, I recalled the techniques my master had taught me t
Vivian’s POVAfter what felt like an eternity, the lingering kiss finally came to an end. Alen released my lips, his watery eyes fixated on mine. Despite the conclusion of our kiss, he didn't release my hands; instead, he tightened his grip on them, holding on even more firmly.At that moment, my legs were so weak that standing seemed like a challenge. I relied on Alen's embrace for support. Gradually, as I felt strength returning to my legs and my balance improving, I gently pushed him away and uttered, "Alen, let me go.""Are you still considering running away?" Alen didn't immediately release me. Instead, he sought an assurance from me, saying, "I'll only release you if you promise me you won't flee."As much as I hesitated to comply with such a demand, I knew that if I refused, Alen would hold onto me without letting go. So, for the time being, I had to make a concession. "I... I won't run."My hesitant words didn't escape Alen's notice. He let go of me with a displeased expressio
Delia's POVAfter days of arduous travel, we finally reached the vicinity of the Red Moon Pack.Given the uncertain circumstances, and with a sense of caution, Prince Kral directed us to establish our camp just outside the borders of the Red Moon Pack.We were to wait until our scouts had gathered intelligence on the situation within the pack before proceeding with our next move.Setting up the camp took most of the day. By the time everything was in order, evening had descended upon us. Prince Kral issued the command for everyone to gather in a large open space.Having received the summons, I joined the assembly in the clearing.Torchlights were arranged around the perimeter, casting their glow to dispel the encroaching darkness. Among them, a platform was positioned to one side, appearing to be intended for speeches and addresses."Delia." Just as my gaze was wandering, Prince Kral appeared by my side. He extended his right arm, silently inviting me to loop my arm with him. "Walk wi
Delia's POVWe waited near the Red Moon Pack for three days. During this time, the soldiers persisted in their drills, and the scouts relayed back information.According to the reports, the rogue population within the Red Moon Pack was not substantial, and their organization was loose. If we were to launch an attack on the pack, there was a high probability of eliminating the rogues in one swift strike.Three days later, Prince Kral dispatched the first wave of soldiers to fight the Red Moon Pack. As they set out, Prince Kral remained in his tent, issuing commands and directing the battle from there.To avoid disturbing Kral, I refrained from going to his tent. However, our tents were close enough that I could hear the soldiers reporting to him.After the soldiers had been on the move for a considerable time, I heard someone reporting, "Your Highness, our soldiers have achieved an initial victory!"The word "victory" stirred excitement within me. The victory had come swiftly, indicati
Sibyl’s POVBefore I know it, time is running out like a river. My two children, who began as finger-sucking babies in cradles, can now run around the palace. Perhaps they inherited Nuri's strong physique, and even the quiet little princess Terese was full of energy. The wet nurses had run to follow her but she was not tired at all.Today, after breakfast, I caught them trying to sneak out again."Sit your asses down!" I said sternly.The two little ones made faces and sat back in their chairs.Unexpectedly, the child's father suddenly protested. "Children are young. They are at an active age now. Why should you restrain them?""Have you forgotten what day it is?""What day?" asked Nuri, doubtfully, putting down her cup.I knew it! I took a plate of peeled grapes from him and said, "Selene and Lowa are coming to visit us today. Lowa is bringing her little girl!"Shortly after my children were born, Lowa returned to Werebird kingdom with Manolo. Within two months of their return, I rec
Sibyl’s POVSince the birth of the little prince and Princess, the whole palace has become lively. Nuri's excitement is hard to describe. He immediately declared the young prince, Baron, a crown prince and gave him an estate. However, he is still young and currently lives with his sister in a bedroom in my palace.In order to take care of the two children, Nuri arranged for each of them to have three wet nurses and eight maids. He had even begun to think about their playmates.Carol was even more excited to see them every day. She came in the morning as soon as the sun rose, and left reluctantly after dinner.Now all eyes are on the two children."Our Baron and Terese are very popular. Whose credit is that?"Nuri rocked the cradle and looked at me like a big dog with a face full of praise! I couldn't bear to watch. I picked up Terese, who was munching her fingers, and kissed her soft, white, meaty face."Little Terese, who is your mommy?"The little guy looked at me in a daze and sudd
Roth’s POV"Sibyl... my baby..."Blayze's voice travels in Nuri's ears. His hands were tugging at Nuri's, blood gushing from his mouth, but he did not stop, calling the Queen's name again and again.Beowulf pounced. His broken arm was flailing feebly in the air, and Nuri dropped Blayze to avoid his attack. I climbed over and pulled Blayze aside to sit against the wall."How could she be Azariah? Didn't she die in prison?"Blayze didn't answer my question. He didn't even look at me. He just stubbornly called out the Queen's name. Does this really work? Can we wake the king?"Nuri, wake up! Sibyl is unconscious because of you. She is pregnant with your child! She almost died because of you!" Bellowed Beowulf as he dodged Nuri's attack, shouting Sibyl's name along with Blayze. Tears blurred my vision. I wiped my face and joined them loudly.May the gods protect us. The love between the King and Queen could be the antidote to this disaster.For a moment, the council chamber was filled wit
Selene’s POVThe whole palace was in disarray. The doctors were all called in, and the maids went in and out like ants on a hot pan. Everyone was scrambling to do something, but they didn't know which way to go, because the only hostess was still lying in bed, unconscious."Stay calm. You are all trained. Follow the rules." Nuri's grandmother's voice rose into the night, suppressing the panic. She took the maid's hand and got down from the carriage. She glanced at the maids and the doctors, and everyone she saw lowered their heads."We don't need so many doctors. Those who are not good at delivering babies can go home."When she had finished, some of the doctors, after a moment's hesitation, came forward, saluted, and hurried off.“Amy, divide the maids into three groups. One group will prepare hot water, the other will clean up the delivery room, and the last group will serve the empress at any time. If anything goes wrong, the person-in-charge will be punished!”Amy hurried to assig
Sibyl’s POV"Your Majesty..." Amy hesitated."Are you asking me why I didn't kill her?" I stopped and looked up at the Black Sky, where the moon was shining brightly. The stars twinkled in the sky like jewels on a dress."Maybe the moon is too beautiful tonight. I don't want to spoil my mood."Many innocent souls stayed in the palace. Every brick and tile was soaked in blood, and I did not want to add to it any more.The maid thought she was going to die, too. She closed her eyes and waited for the poison to attack, only to find that the pain she had imagined for a long time had not come. She slowly opened her eyes tentatively and looked at me hesitantly."Ah..." when she opened her mouth to speak, she found herself unable to make a sound."I took your voice," I motioned to Amy with my eyes. Amy handed her a bag of gold coins. "This is my compensation to you. I will still keep my promise to you. You can leave the palace tonight. I will let you continue your life as a commoner."With t
Sibyl’s POVThe evening party went on as planned. On the rows of brass candlesticks, carefully carved candles burned brightly, illuminating the faces of each visitor. The scent of ladies' perfumes filled the air, and expensive jewelry glowed in the owner's hair, earlobes, and neck. Everyone smiled and complimented each other."What an elegant crowd." I stood in the shade outside the door and looked at the nobles in the ballroom. "If I hadn't seen the fierce faces of the jealous ladies and the greed of the men in calculating the wealth of the common people, if I hadn't seen the despicable ways in which ministers use their power to do evil," I paused, i turned to Amy. "This is heaven, isn't it?"Amy looked at me in silence, and I knew the question frightened her. How can the nobles be so easily judged? Most people would think so. Nuri still had a long way to go. If he did not change the concept that everyone feared the nobles as much as the gods, the new nobles that he supported now wou
Sibyl’s POVLowa shifts into a giant bird. I sat on her back and soon saw Aphrodite's palace. With no intention of slowing down, she dived straight for the palace door, causing the maids at the door to scream. I walked to the door with a sullen face. Lowa shaved her feathers and shifted back to being a sexy lady.Not surprisingly, there was another shriek from the maids, and several of them had collapsed to the ground. I saw a familiar face among the maids, whose name I can't quite remember, Anna or something. On Aphrodite's first day at court, I met the maid.She's not doing very well. No, rather badly. She was not a pretty girl, but she was impressive, and now her hair was as yellow as a weed, and her figure was unusually dry. The once beautiful eyes also lost their love of life like a pool of stagnant water.She felt my gaze and looked up at me quickly. Her eyes sparkled, but soon became dull. She changed in an instant. When I blinked and looked at her again, she was still lifeless
Sibyl’s POV"Nuri is exaggerating." Selene looked at the room full of clothes and sighed. "So many clothes. Even if there were a few more of you, you would never wear them all!"I looked at the rows of clothes, heart half sweet half trouble. Nuri is in love with me, but, as my sister said, I really do not have time to wear every piece of clothing again. Looking at so many beautiful clothes that I have no chance to wear them, it makes me feel very wasteful."These are all new. Do you like any of them? If you don't mind, just take the ones you like!" I said to Selene. When Lowa heard this, her face darkened and she looked at me angrily. "You have a real sister, and have you forgotten about me? You are so biased!"Selene looked at me awkwardly, worried that something might happen between me and Lowa, and I patted her hand. I smiled at her and said, "She's just kidding!" I turned to Lowa and rolled my eyes at her. "Why are you teasing her? Come on, I'll give you all the clothes in this ro
Nuri’s POV"What's all this?" Beowulf asked as he casually flipped through the notes on my desk. He gave me a smirk. I looked down and coughed."How come I don't remember us getting so close?" His tone was too casual and intimate, as if we had known each other for more than a decade, which made me very uncomfortable. He is the king of the land of the Bears. While I respect him as a hero, that doesn't mean my social distance from him can become intimate. But he didn't seem to feel that way at all."My wife is your wife's sister, and we are brothers, a family! We know each other like the back of my hand!" He took another book from the shelf, he exclaimed, "I always thought that you were an ambitious hero. You spent all your energy on running the country. I can't imagine that you're actually a nanny!"My bookshelf is lined with books on children, medical and educational, from infants to teenagers. On the desk are several thick notes that I have made. These are all the questions I ask doc